PlantFiles: Smooth Sumac
Rhus glabra

just FYI it's Staghorn Sumac or Rhus typhina that you are able to make a kind of lemonade out of. The alkaloid content of Smoothe is different, bitter and not very good for you! That being said, it won't get eaten by rabbits or deer, yay! I mean what else are you going to grow on the prairie in pure clay or rocky soil? And yes, this is indeed native to all 48 lower states, obviously not to EVERY corner of the state, for example you wont find it in the mojave desert; but it does have an impressive range. Best for naturalizing areas, or in a 'wild' garden where it can form an attractive multi trunked shrub/tree. or in a conventional garden in impossible conditions.

I Notice that people call this invade Peoples yards... I have yet to see it. I saw the Chinese Sumac does those. Then again the only Three Smooth sumac have been Behaving in peoples yards.

I have a small grove of these growing in my back yard and invasive or not, they are still an American native. I prefer this over the Tree of heaven, which is also growing in my yard and is about 25 years old! I have also noticed that the wild grape vine that we have growing on our property will NOT grow on the Sumac, but will kill the tree of heaven, I have not yet figured out how it does this. I have found that there are certain trees that the Grape vine stays away from, and smooth sumac is one of them. I would love to hear your observations on this.

This is currently growing on a dry slope where nothing else will grow in our yard. They are on my side yard where we removed numerous lumbering oaks that were too close to the house.

We have lots of this in Missouri and I had always heard you could make a drink from the ripe berries, so I tried it. It wasn't all that great and a few minutes after drinking it, I almost passed out. I'm not sure whether it was due to the drink or not, but I would try this with caution. I was positive that I had sumac berries too.

All Sumac with red berries are said to be safe but the ones with white berries are the poison ones.

Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra, is Native to Texas and other States.

This is the only shrub or tree species that is native to all 48 contiguous states, which attests to it's ability to adapt to a wide variety of conditions and climates.

It is the most common sumac and sometimes in good conditions will form a small tree with a flat, open crown.

As stated above, it spreads by runners and can form large colonies without containment, but I enjoy seeing the clumps along the roadways in the fall. They are usually the first color to be seen in these parts and I love the bright red.

Another "fun" plant for which I got into trouble for transplanting into the backyard. The fall foliage is very nice. The "berries" (drupes) can be made into a drink a bit like Koolaid. Sadly the plant is colonial, so if you plant it, put a barrier in the ground or be ready for a forest.
Transplanting is best done when the plant's gone dormant (note the fine, silvery membrane covering the stems)- in the middle of winter: go dig up a wild one. The roots don't go too far down, but move sideways... just chop off the next plant down.
Be warned- the sap is really sticky, and your hands will be a bit mucky if you mess with the plant. A Very FEW people seem to be allergic to this plant on contact- you will notice if you are.